Hawaiian Airlines is back in the running for a Tokyo-Kona slot.
The state’s largest carrier, which has been rebuffed three times by the U.S. Department of Transportation for additional service from Haneda International Airport, filed another application Monday with the DOT after the federal agency decided to reopen a slot.
Hawaiian and American Airlines began petitioning the DOT to reallocate the slot after Delta Air Lines announced last year it would be reducing the frequency of its Haneda-Seattle service this winter from daily to seasonal. In December the DOT agreed and said it would consider reallocating the Delta slot, one of four Haneda slots that was awarded to U.S. carriers in 2010.
If Hawaiian lands the Haneda-Kona route, it would represent Hawaii island’s first scheduled flights from Japan since Japan Airlines ended service Oct. 29, 2010, from Narita Airport outside Tokyo. Hawaiian said in its application that it anticipates service would begin on or about June 1 using 294-seat A330-200 aircraft. The departure and arrival times will vary depending on time of year.
"Kona continues to be a top destination for Japanese travelers, and we are more certain than ever that direct service to West Hawaii is the highest and best use for the scarce Haneda slots that are at stake here," said Mark Dunkerley, president and chief executive officer of Hawaiian. "This route would provide unmatched public benefit by improving U.S. exports, boosting spending and economic growth within the United States, and increasing U.S. jobs."
American Airlines, which also has applied for the same Haneda slot, is requesting to use it for service to Los Angeles. Delta has applied to retain its Seattle slot.
In its application, Hawaiian noted that its Haneda-Honolulu service has been "by far the most, if not only, successful route" of the four Haneda slots granted to U.S. carriers in 2010.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority estimates that the proposed daily service will generate 531,721 visitor days and $146 million in visitor spending.
Hawaiian’s application calculates that service directly to Kona will attract 39,000 additional visitors and result in 1,151 new jobs and $65 million in new direct spending.
If approved, this would be Hawaiian’s fifth Japan route and third daily nonstop flight between Japan and Hawaii, joining daily service to Honolulu from Tokyo and Osaka and thrice-weekly service between Honolulu, Sendai and Sapporo. Hawaiian ceased daily service between Honolulu and Fukuoka, Japan, in June.
Hawaiian said it will be seeking petition signatures and letters of support for the route from all communities of Hawaii. Petitions are available online at Action.HawaiianAir.com.
Gov. David Ige said awarding the slot to Hawaiian would benefit both the Hawaii and U.S. economies.
"It is good news for the state that Hawaiian Airlines is actively pursuing this route, and we hope the Department of Transportation will favorably consider Hawaiian Airlines’ application," Ige said.
Hawaii island Mayor Billy Kenoi said he would welcome the increased visitor traffic.
"The County of Hawaii would welcome the opportunity to host an additional 39,000 visitors from Japan," Kenoi said. "Our island has had a strong relationship with Japanese visitors for many years, and we are confident that this route will be a commercial success. We are thankful that Hawaiian Airlines remains committed to our island and our residents, and we will work with our federal and state counterparts to ensure this route’s success."
